25.8.16

A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission,
INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has declared that Nigeria’s unity is
sacrosanct and could be likened to a catholic marriage, noting that
though not necessarily a perfect union, the marriage of different ethnic
groups in the country is one that will last “till death do us part.”
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to “strive to do anything humanly
possible to find accommodation and live peacefully, and to prevent” the
“annulment” of the Nigeria marriage.
The former INEC chairman stated this yesterday while delivering a
lecture entitled: “Broadcasting Democracy and the Challenge of the New
Nigeria”, when he featured as guest speaker at the 2nd annual lecture
organized by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, in Abuja.
He observed that Nigeria has survived enormous challenges which would
have divided any other African country, stressing that in spite of the
unfair and inefficient conduct of the affairs of the country, Nigeria
has remained intact
While calling for a more concerted effort to sustain Nigeria’s
democracy in order to reposition her among other countries and address
her challenges, Jega noted that the major challenge facing the country
was that of accelerating democratization, institutionalizing good,
democratic governance and consolidating democratic development.
He recalled that during electioneering campaign, public broadcasters,
incumbent governments and parties mostly secured undue advantage,
unfair and disproportionate coverage of their activities.